Aponogeton capuronii

Lore & Background

Aponogeton capuronii was discovered in the Mandromondromotra River in Madagascar by Bogner in February 1968, at a depth of 20–30 cm. When the author visited the same location in December 1986, the river had a water level of nearly 2 m, and the plants showed limited growth activity with hardly any juvenile leaves. The species grows in fast-flowing rivers with water values including a temperature of 27.3 °C, pH 6.0, and very soft water (GH/KH < 1 °dH). The substrate consisted of sand and gravel mixed with coarse, yellow clay.

The plant features a rhizome up to 10 x 2 cm thick, with leaf blades that are 7–20 cm long, slightly leathery, and 20–40 cm long and 3-4.5(-8) cm wide. The leaves can be flat or highly bullate and undulate, with dark olive-green coloring. The inflorescence has 2, seldom 3, spikes up to 14 cm long with omnilateral flowers, each with 2 white tepals, 6 stamens, and 3-4 carpels. Forms specific to some locations feature bullate, undulate, and flat blades.

Reader's Guide

Aponogeton capuronii is a decorative species, though its limited adaptability to aquarium conditions has made successful cultivation the exception rather than the rule. It was imported on a few occasions, but only a specimen featuring bullate leaf blades has been cultivated successfully for more than 20 years, by J. Bogner in the Botanical Gardens Munich. That plant was kept in soft, weak acid water in a shaded location, and according to the data, it does not require a specific rest phase. The species' natural habitat in fast-flowing rivers with very soft, acidic water (pH 6.0, GH/KH < 1 °dH) and a temperature of 27.3 °C suggests that replicating these conditions is critical for any attempt at aquarium cultivation. The presence of iron (Fe2+ = 0.05 mg/l) and undetectable nitrate in its native waters further indicates specific water chemistry needs. Its legacy lies in being a rare and challenging plant for dedicated aquarists, with its bullate leaf form being the only reliably cultivated variant.

Did You Know?

• Aponogeton capuronii is named after René Paul Raymond Capuron.
• A specimen with bullate leaf blades has been cultivated successfully for more than 20 years in the Botanical Gardens Munich.
• The plant does not require a specific rest phase according to cultivation data.